AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2163, 31 January 1881, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

[By Tblbgbaph.]

[Per s.s. Arawata, at the Bluff.] MELBOURNE, January 26. H.M.S. Miranda, a new addition to the Australian squadron, arrived at Melbourne on Saturday, and replaces the Danae, which is ordered home. The Finisterre, French war steamer, left Melbonrno on 22nd, for a cruise to Tasmania.

London telegrams stato that the Antwerp wool sales opened with an average decline all round of 5 per cent. The Gulf oE Finland steamer, of the Thames and Mersey line, left the East India Docks on 11th Dsoember tor Australian ports. Other steamers of tho same lino will follow at regular intervals. The purchasers of the wreck of the Hereford sure availing themselves of the present weather to rapidly get the cargo out of the ship. Two steam tags are busily employed, and 200 tons were brought to Melbourne in one day. Divers are required for furthor work. There are strong hopes of floating the vessel. The Steam Navigation Board held an inquiry yesterday, and briefly hearing the evidence decided that whilst the captain was guilty of error of judgment, he was not guilty of wilful default. Tho certificate was consequently returned.

The New South Wales committees of the Conference on Saturday discussed the South Sea outrages, tho debtors' wife deserters question, and the Chinese immigration. On Monday tho Conference resumed the consideration of a Federal Council. South Australia proposed several important amendments in the Bill, and a division was taken resulting in both sides being equal. The measure therefore is virtually abandoned, though probably Sir H. Parkes may bring the matter up in another form in the New South Wales Parliament. Mr Mann's motion for a uniform colonial tariff was carried, tho Viotorian delegates dissenting. A motion waa afterwards passed to tho effect that the special circumstances of each colony be considered in passing the tariff. In reference to the " Herald's " complaint of not receiving full roports of tho conference, the circular of Sir H. Parkes on the subject was was warmly commented on by Mr Wrenf ordsley. Ultimately the matter ended in banter. The barque Cordillera, 813 tons, from Sydnoy to San Francisco, was wrecked yesterday at Cape Bowling on the northern Australian coast. Latest Samoa news states that the sohooner Aotive was totally wrecked at Apia. The antiSling party are gaining headway against their opponents. Proceeding of Parliament are entirely unimportant, and only of local interest.